ASL Solutions Blog

Humans have been living alongside dogs and cats for thousands of years, so it's no wonder that we have so many expressions about them! While certainly not a complete list, this is still a pretty sizeable sampling of idioms, metaphors, and similes about cats and dogs that are sprinkled throughout the English language. Image by Marián Šicko from Pexels Sayings about cats and dogs Raining cats and dogs Raining heavily "It's raining cats and dogs out there!" Bonus points if the other person responds with "Don't step in a poodle!" Fight like cats and dogs People who argue a lot with each other; and/or they fight like old-time enemies "I swear, the pair of you fights like cat and dog!" Expressions about dogs In the doghouse In trouble "He's in the doghouse again, he forgot to do his homework." See a man about a dog Announcing that you are leaving for something without explaining why; often used when going to the bathroom or getting an a...

Have you ever heard of a goat mayor? How about a cat or a dog? What about...foot powder? This is by no means a comprehensive list, but nonetheless a solid sampling of some of the past and current electoral candidates who weren't or aren't exactly human. Incitatus, the Roman consul horse They say to never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what about a Roman consul horse? The Roman emperor Caligula ruled between 37-41 CE. It is said that he had a favorite horse, known by the name Incitatus. This horse was such a favorite that Caligula wanted to have him nominated for consul (an important political position at the time). Incitatus may not have made consul, but he did make out like a bandit otherwise: a marble stable, an ivory manger, purple blankets, and a collar encrusted with fine jewels were among the gifts lavished upon the horse. Cassius Dio, a prominent Roman historian who lived well after Caligula, even claimed that Incitatus was attended by servants and fed oats sprinkl...

When you think Amsterdam, your first thought could be many things    bikes, canals, coffee shops    but it's probably not a museum dedicated to cat art. This little museum is a delightful glimpse into and homage to cats and how they've inspired artists from Pablo Picasso to Rembrandt, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to Corneille. Located at Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands (quite close to the lovely Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam's famous floating flower market), this unusual museum is worth the visit. A dining room laden with cat paintings, statues, and red decor. The museum is housed on the first floor (the piano nobile , if you want to feel fancy) of a classically furnished Amsterdam home that was built in 1667. The building went through many different inhabitants and owners before it became the KattenKabinet, or Cat Cabinet. A former Amsterdam mayor, Jan Calkoen, lived there during his mayorship. Former American president John Adams stayed there once as we...

Canines have been an important part of cultures around the world for thousands of years. There is an abundance of stories, legends, tales, and myths that revolve around particularly special dogs. Here are tales of but a few of those canines of legend. Anubis Image  credit: Wikimedia Commons Anubis was the Egyptian god of the afterlife, mummification, lost souls, and the helpless. He appeared as a jackal-headed man, a black dog, or a black jackal most frequently. Jackals aren't actually black, though    Anubis was black because black is symbolic of the fertile soil of the Nile river, as well as the decay of the body. Anubis is often confused with the older jackal god, Wepwawet, who some believe he developed from. Anubis was wildly popular throughout Egypt, having shrines dedicated to him throughout the country. He was also the earliest god depicted on tomb walls (at least, those that have been discovered). Anubis was typically called upon by seekers of protection and ven...

Sure, you've seen photos of dogs in our doghouses before. You've heard tell of cat colonies huddling inside the CRB to stay warm. But have you seen a photo of a goat using our Dog Palace? Have you heard about Pekin ducks living in the CRB? What about rabbits? A potbelly pig? Roosters? Tortoises? Monkeys? Jude, a Dutch rabbit, in a modified CRB. The dog palace was designed for dogs, of course, but you don't have to use it to house dogs. We've had photos emailed to us of a goat peering out of a dog palace, and there are plenty of comments in our reviews on various websites that list several other species who comfortably stay in our houses, sometimes with modifications. On Wayfair, a customer who bought the CRB said that they used it to house their potbelly pig! Another reviewer on Wayfair cited using the Dog Palace as a duck house. One Chewy reviewer of the Dog Palace cites it as "purrfect" for their cat colony, and a customer on Sam's Club said the cats too...